Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C70/00—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
  • B29C70/04—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising reinforcements only, e.g. self-reinforcing plastics
  • B29C70/28—Shaping operations therefor
  • B29C70/40—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied
  • B29C70/42—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
  • B29C70/44—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding
  • B29C70/446—Moulding structures having an axis of symmetry or at least one channel, e.g. tubular structures, frames
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
  • B29C33/38—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor characterised by the material or the manufacturing process
  • B29C33/40—Plastics, e.g. foam or rubber
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C53/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C53/82—Cores or mandrels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C70/00—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
  • B29C70/68—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers, e.g. foam blocks
  • B29C70/86—Incorporated in coherent impregnated reinforcing layers, e.g. by winding
  • B29C70/865—Incorporated in coherent impregnated reinforcing layers, e.g. by winding completely encapsulated
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
  • B29B11/00—Making preforms
  • B29B11/14—Making preforms characterised by structure or composition
  • B29B11/16—Making preforms characterised by structure or composition comprising fillers or reinforcement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C63/00—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C63/18—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor using tubular layers or sheathings
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
  • B29K2105/04—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped cellular or porous
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
  • B29K2105/04—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped cellular or porous
  • B29K2105/046—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped cellular or porous with closed cells
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
  • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
  • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
  • B29K2105/08—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
  • B29K2105/0809—Fabrics
  • B29K2105/0827—Braided fabrics
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
  • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
  • B29K2105/08—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
  • B29K2105/0809—Fabrics
  • B29K2105/0845—Woven fabrics
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2221/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as reinforcement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2707/00—Use of elements other than metals for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
  • B29K2707/04—Carbon
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
  • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
  • B29L2031/709—Articles shaped in a closed loop, e.g. conveyor belts
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
  • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an improved mandrel for producing near-net shape composite preforms thereon.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a composite mandrel.
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mandrel illustrated in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the portion circled in FIG. 2.
• FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a composite mandrel wrapped thereabout with a braided, fibrous product.
• FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the braided fibrous product over- wrapping the mandrel, and,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multiplicity of non- linear mandrels attached, end to end, to form a circular mandrel assembly using splice plates.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a composite mandrel.
• One embodiment of a mandrel for use as a substrate in the manufacture of woven or braided articles may comprise an inner core of foam and at least a first layer of fiber- reinforced resin. Carbon fibers may be used as the reinforcement of the resin. Multiple carbon fiber-reinforced resin layers may be applied to the foam core.
• a further embodiment of a composite mandrel for use as a substrate in the manufacture of woven or braided articles may comprise a longitudinally-extending mandrel body having: an inner core of high density, closed cell polyurethane foam; an intermediate layer of carbon fiber-reinforced resin about the core; and an outer layer of glass fiber- reinforced resin about the intermediate layer.
• a still further embodiment comprises a method of making a mandrel that is used as a substrate in the manufacture of a woven or braided article, comprising the steps of: providing a mandrel core of foam; overlaying the foam core with a sleeve of carbon fibers; applying a resin to the carbon fibers to create a carbon fiber-reinforced resin layer; after the carbon fiber-reinforced resin layer cures, overlaying the carbon fiber-reinforced resin layer with a sleeve of glass fibers; and, applying a resin to the glass fibers to create a glass fiber- reinforced resin layer.
• the mandrel comprises a core of closed cell, high density, polyurethane foam overlaid with at least one, but preferably two or more, layers of carbon fiber reinforced resin and at least one outer layer of glass fiber reinforced resinous material. It is also contemplated that other types of foam may also be utilized with the embodiments of present invention.
• the foam core is first shaped to the shape desired for the final mandrel, after which the layers of reinforced carbon and glass fiber are applied.
• Embodiments of the composite mandrel construction impart higher stiffness and lower weight than prior art mandrel constructions, thereby facilitating automatic and/or semi-automatic application of wrinkle-free, or undulation-free, composite material layers in the composite preform as it is applied, and/or cured upon the mandrel.
• a plurality of composite mandrels may be joined together to create more complex shapes, such as axially tandem straight, circular, or non-circular profiles along the longitudinal axis of the mandrels, thereby facilitating the manufacture of multiple composite preforms in a single manufacturing operation.
• the longitudinal and cross-sectional profiles of embodiments of the composite mandrel may comprise varying geometry, thereby imparting desired variations into the geometry of the final preform configuration.
• the profile configuration may be generated by hand or by automated or semi-automated machine tools employing Computer Aided Design
• one advantage of one of the embodiments of the invention is to provide a dimensionally-stable composite mandrel for producing near-net shape composite preforms thereon that overcome one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art.
• FIG. 1 generally illustrates a mandrel 10, having a curved axial profile, embodying an embodiment of the present invention.
• Mandrel 10 may also embody a longitudinally straight profile or any of a plurality of axial profiles.
• the lateral cross-section of mandrel 10 is illustrated as generally having a rectangular cross-section, mandrel 10 may alternately embody any of a plurality of desired cross-sectional profiles, or may include a varying cross-section along its longitudinal length.
• the mandrel illustrated in FIG. 5 is but one of a multitude of cross-sectional profiles that can be utilized. As such, any shape, size, and curvature of mandrel is contemplated for use in the different embodiments of the present invention.
• mandrel 10 may comprise a high density, polyurethane foam core 12 having a first over-wrapped layer 14 of carbon fiber-reinforced resinous material, an optional second over- wrapped layer 16 of carbon fiber-reinforced resinous material, and a third outer layer 18 of glass fiber-reinforced resinous material.
• the second layer 16 of carbon fiber-reinforced resinous material may be omitted or multiple layers of carbon fiber-reinforced resinous material may be added.
• the foam core 12 may be first formed to the shape and contour of the desired mandrel using known methods of forming foam products. Once having the pre-shaped foam core, the first over- wrapped layer 14 of carbon fiber reinforced resinous material is applied and allowed to cure, followed by the optional second carbon fiber over- wrapped layer 16, and the final outer layer 18 of glass fiber reinforced resinous material.
• a sleeve of carbon fibers is applied over the foam core.
• the carbon fibers may be longitudinally or axially-aligned fibers at least partially woven or braided with an elastomeric fiber or member that may extend obliquely around the sleeve.
• the carbon fibers themselves, may be partially or substantially braided or woven.
• the core with overlapped carbon fibers may be placed into an article or bag whereby a vacuum is pulled at one end and resin is introduced at another end, which pulls the resin over the core/fiber combination to form the carbon fiber-reinforced layer.
• the resin may be applied to the carbon fibers by hand or by brush.
• a fiberglass, or glass fiber, sleeve may applied over the carbon fiber-reinforced layer.
• the core/carbon fiber- reinforced resin member may be placed in a similar article or bag whereby a vacuum is pull at one end and resin is drawn over the glass fibers, forming the glass fiber-reinforced layer.
• the resin may be applied by hand or brush.
• any of a plurality of resins may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the resin is a vinyl ester resin that cures at room temperature.
• Other embodiments of resins that may be used include, but are not limited to, epoxy resins.
• a varying cross-section of mandrel 10 may be accomplished by forming a foam core having a variable cross-section along its longitudinal length, or by varying the number and/or thickness of the over- wrapped layers 14, 16, 18.
• the over-wrapped layers 14, 16, and 18 may comprise chopped fibers, continuous longitudinally aligned fibers, circumferentially wound fibers, a woven or braided pattern, or any other desired reinforcing pattern. Each layer 14, 16, and/or 18 may comprise differing fiber reinforcing patterns as may be desired.
• the composite mandrel serves as a dimensionally stable substrate onto which a matrix of reinforcing fibers is applied.
• Braided fiber patterns applied directly upon the composite mandrel core 12 eliminate the labor-intensive process of hand lay-up or semi- automated lay-up of complex composite preforms using woven fabric, sleeved, or braided fabric materials. Further, the axial and tow fibers of multiple braided layers may be accurately aligned by automatic or semi-automatic equipment.
• the mandrel 10 may be used as a substrate upon which woven or braided articles 30 are formed.
• FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate a woven or braided, article 30 formed over the mandrel 10.
• Multiple composite mandrels 10 may be affixed together using splice plates 20 attached to the mandrel ends thereby facilitating construction of a more complex shape as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Composite Materials (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)
• Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=38564278

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (23)

Family Cites Families (61)

• 2007
  • 2007-03-30 US US11/694,411 patent/US7815160B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-03-31 JP JP2009504397A patent/JP5417167B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-03-31 WO PCT/US2007/065740 patent/WO2007115239A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-03-31 EP EP07759918.1A patent/EP2004372B1/de not_active Not-in-force
• 2010
  • 2010-10-19 US US12/907,601 patent/US8101035B2/en active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events